Everyone knows and loves the iconic Honda CB750, but have you heard of the Honda CB700SC Nighthawk" Honda marketed it in the US from 1984 to 1986, as an answer to the infamous 1983 tariff. But it was a pretty rad motorcycle in its own right, too.
In a bid to help Harley-Davidson, the US slapped a 45% import tariff on all foreign motorcycles over 700 cc. The CB700SC’s 696 cc inline-four meant it could sneak under the limit, and it still made a respectable 80 hp and 61 Nm. It also had a shaft drive, twin front brakes, and hot rod styling with 16? split-spoke wheels.

The Nighthawk design has aged uncharacteristically well for its era. So it’s no surprise that the owner of this particular Nighthawk opted for a tasteful restomod, rather than a full-blown custom. His name is Chris Wimpey, and he’s a photographer based in San Diego, California. ?For this build I started with something that many riders can relate to,? he tells us. ?A somewhat odd bike, one that might be lurking in the back of a garage or barn, as this one was, literally. Maybe not the typical starting place for a custom build. Perhaps something very affordable, for builders on a budget.?

Chris started the project in a friend’s shop in Portland, Oregon, where he would occasionally visit, but eventually moved it to his home garage. He did most of the work himself, but outsourced the serious fabrication and welding bits, along with paint and upholstery. And he taught himself to use C...